Right Thoughts Right Words Right Action [Deluxe Edition] (CD)

Franz Ferdinand

Amoeba Review

08/26/2013

Back from the dead at just the right time, Franz Ferdinand gives us what we want on Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. From its opener "Right Words," a kind of post-punk groover cousin to Elvis' "A Little Less Conversation," Franz are on point with this one. "Evil Eye" is a taut Halloween rocker with a nasty groove. "Love Illumination" has some big, dirty riffs with a jangly chorus chaser. "Stand on the Horizon" starts a dreamy, Beatlesesque opening before tearing into its shuffling funk. Between that song and britpopper "Fresh Strawberries," Franz Ferdinand remind you they're capable of feeding your ears with great melodies and not just dance grooves. "You know I hate pop music" Alex Kapranos sings on "Goodbye Lovers and Friends." If this really is the end, as he sings, they've left us with a wealth of excellent pop music, capped of with the fine Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action.